ENG vs SA: “Bazball” backfires, SA sweeps ENG

ENG vs SA, 1st Test: Ben Stokes-led England were given a reality check in the first Test of the three-match series against South Africa as the hosts staggered to an innings and 12 runs loss at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday. The first Test ended inside three days as Proteas bowlers made a joke of England’s batting lineup and the ‘Bazball’ approach was a flake-out. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada bowled red hot spells, for which England had no responses.

After the loss, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer took to Twitter to troll England as ‘Bazball’ misfired badly in the first Test.

“Bazball has done wonders in the fourth inns” SA: There will be no fourth inns,” tweeted Jaffer.

This was England’s first loss in tests under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. 

Recently, England had won each of the four Tests (three versus New Zealand and one versus India). In all those games, England chased down steep totals.

South Africa had won the toss and chose to bowl. Kagiso Rabada then went through England, taking a five-wicket haul, as the hosts were bowled out for 165. The guests then put on 326 in reply, with Sarel Erwee scoring half-century and Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje adding a few significant runs down the order.

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England’s second essay with the bat saw little improvement, as they were bowled out for 149, giving South Africa a win by an innings and 12 runs.

Nortje claimed three wickets, while Rabada, Jansen and Maharaj took two each. Lungi Ngidi got only one wicket, yet it was the big one of Joe Root.

The two teams will currently go head to head in the second Test in Manchester starting August 25.